The Boston Celtics kicked off their season with a bang, not only hoisting their championship banner but also setting a new franchise record for three-pointers in a game. In a dominant performance against the New York Knicks, the Celtics rained three-pointers, ultimately tying the NBA record with 29 three-point shots made, leading to a 132-109 victory. This marks their largest opening night win in franchise history.
The Celtics’ star player, Jayson Tatum, led the charge, scoring a game-high 37 points while connecting on 8 of 11 shots from behind the three-point arc. Tatum also dished out 10 assists, showcasing his all-around dominance. Seven Celtics players contributed at least one three-pointer to the historic effort, showcasing the team’s deep shooting prowess.
The Celtics tied the record previously held by the Milwaukee Bucks, who achieved the feat in December 2020 against the Miami Heat. Al Horford’s 29th three-pointer cemented the record, giving the Celtics a commanding 126-93 lead with just 8:54 left in the game. Even though they missed their last 13 three-point attempts, the Celtics’ shooting performance throughout the game was simply astounding. They shot a remarkable 50.5 percent from the field and an incredible 47.5 percent from three-point territory (29 of 61).
Tatum wasn’t the only Celtics player to put up impressive numbers. Derrick White contributed 24 points, including six three-pointers. Jaylen Brown chipped in with 23 points and five three-pointers. The duo of Jrue Holiday and Al Horford added 18 and 11 points respectively, while Sam Hauser rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points. Brown and Xavier Tillman led the Celtics on the boards with 7 rebounds each.
For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson and Miles McBride led the scoring with 22 points each, while Karl-Anthony Towns, in his debut for New York, had 22 points and 7 rebounds. Mikal Bridges added 16 points, Josh Hart scored 12, and Cameron Payne contributed 11 points. Despite shooting a respectable 55.1 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from three-point range (11 of 30), the Knicks simply couldn’t keep up with the Celtics’ relentless offensive attack.
The Celtics dominated from the start, leading 43-24 after the first quarter and extending their lead to 74-55 at halftime. They continued their dominance in the third quarter, entering the final period with a commanding 113-87 advantage. Boston’s blistering start was fueled by their exceptional three-point shooting, as they connected on 10 of their 17 three-point attempts in the first quarter and tied a franchise record for three-pointers in a half by sinking 17 shots (on 32 attempts) from behind the arc in the first two quarters. The Knicks, despite their strong shooting percentage, found themselves trailing by 19 points at halftime. The Celtics’ largest lead in the game was 35 points, showcasing the magnitude of their dominance. The Knicks only managed a brief lead in the opening minutes, going up 6-5 before the Celtics took control.
This opening night victory showcased the Celtics’ championship pedigree and their potential to be a dominant force in the league once again. The record-breaking three-point performance is a testament to their offensive firepower and the dynamic scoring threats they possess. With this dominant win and a taste of history, the Celtics have signaled that they are ready to defend their title and make a strong run for another championship.